Actuator assembly

Abstract

A trigger actuator having a substantially unitary structure with a measuring device mounted thereon to detect the application of force to the trigger. In response, the measuring device generates a trigger signal. A compensating system detects additional or undesirable effects applied to the actuator and generates a compensating signal to modify and compensate for such effects on the actuator.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of firing a round of ammunition comprising: 
       applying a force to a trigger;  
       detecting the application of force to the trigger and generating a trigger signal;  
       monitoring a magnitude of the trigger signal and compensating for a rate of change of the trigger signal outside of a predetermined threshold range; and  
       if the trigger signal is of a sufficient magnitude and within the predetermined threshold range, initiating an operational sequence to fire the round of ammunition.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  and further comprising supplying a firing charge through a conductive firing probe to an electrically initiated primer charge in response to a firing signal to initiate explosion of the primer charge. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  and further comprising the step of releasing a firing pin in response to a firing signal to enable the firing pin to be moved into engagement with and initiate firing of a percussion primer charge. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  and wherein compensating for the rate of change comprises filtering out a trigger signal that changes too fast or too slow. 
     
     
       5. A method of initiating the firing of a round of ammunition in a firearm, comprising: 
       sensing an application of force to a trigger of the firearm;  
       generating a trigger signal in response to the application of force to the trigger;  
       monitoring the trigger signal and compensating for false or inadvertent trigger signals and generating an output signal; and  
       initiating a firing signal if the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  and further comprising supplying a firing charge through a conductive firing probe to an electrically initiated primer charge in response to the firing signal to initiate explosion of the primer charge. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  and further comprising the step of releasing a firing pin in response to the firing signal to enable the firing pin to be moved into engagement with an initiate firing of a percussion primer charge. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5  and further comprising compensating for effects of temperature on the trigger. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5  and wherein compensating for false or inadvertent trigger signals comprises generating a compensating signal. 
     
     
       10. A method of controlling a hand operated device comprising: 
       applying a force to a trigger;  
       detecting the application of force to the trigger and generating a trigger signal;  
       monitoring a magnitude of the trigger signal;  
       compensating for an inadvertent trigger signal and generating an output signal; and  
       if the output signal is of sufficient magnitude, initiating an operational sequence appropriate for the hand-operated device.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  and wherein compensating for an inadvertent trigger signal comprises generating a compensating signal in response to an inadvertent trigger signal. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  and wherein compensating for an inadvertent trigger signal comprises monitoring a rate of change of the trigger signal and compensating for a rate of change of the trigger signal that is outside a predetermined range. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  and compensating for a rate of change comprises filtering the trigger signal and rejecting a trigger signal that falls outside a predetermined operating range of the rate of change of the trigger signal. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  and wherein compensating for an inadvertent trigger signal comprises filtering the trigger signal and rejecting a signal that falls outside a predetermined operating range of the rate of change of the trigger signal. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10  and further including amplifying the trigger signal.